Israel demolishes recently built 'Wadi al-Ahmar' village

Sept. 13, 2018 3:17 P.M. (Updated: Sept. 14, 2018 3:54 P.M.)

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces demolished the "Wadi al-Ahmar" village in the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, on Thursday, which was built by Palestinian and international activists, in challenge of the Israeli High Court's approval to demolish the village and evacuate its residents.

Head of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Walid Assaf, said that dozens of Israeli bulldozers along with hundreds of Israeli forces surrounded the area and stormed the village.

Assaf added that Israeli bulldozers took down and demolished the recently built wooden and steel substitute houses, which the activists referred to as "Wadi al-Ahmar."

Assaf stressed on the importance of the presence of residents in the village to protect their homes and lands from being taken by Israel as part of a plan for the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.

Israeli forces also closed off the village preventing activists from reaching the site.

The Israeli army confirmed that it had removed five houses in the area and that the demolition was meant for "Wadi al-Ahmar" and not for Khan al-Ahmar yet.

Last week, the Israeli High Court had rejected an appeal against the demolition of the village and approved its demolition and evacuation to take place within the next seven days.

Since July, Khan al-Ahmar has been under threat of demolition by Israeli forces; the demolition would leave more than 35 Palestinian families displaced, as part of an Israeli plan to expand the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Kfar Adummim.